In this episode of The Jay Young Show, Jay Young and co-host Jordan Soto sit down with Rob Thummel of Tortoise Capital to break down the biggest trends shaping oil, natural gas, LNG exports, energy investing, and the future of AI-driven power demand. From the long-term outlook for crude oil prices to the growing role of natural gas in data centers and grid modernization, this conversation covers the forces driving the energy market right now.

Rob shares his take on why energy remains essential to global growth, how oil and gas investors should think about 2026 and beyond, why LNG has become a global story, and how AI infrastructure could become a major tailwind for U.S. natural gas demand. Jay and Jordan also dig into California refining issues, global supply pressures, capital discipline, and what opportunities may still exist for investors who feel like they missed the last run in energy.

In Jay’s Weekly Five, Jay and Jordan talk about the word of the week, which is secure, and how preparedness, confidence, faith, and fundamentals help leaders and investors stay steady in uncertain markets.

Topics covered:
oil prices, natural gas prices, LNG exports, AI infrastructure, data centers, utilities, energy investing, energy stocks, Tortoise Capital, crude oil outlook, WTI, Brent, energy market trends, capital discipline, refinery news, investor strategy

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:45 Welcome back to The Jay Young Show
01:20 Meet Rob Thummel of Tortoise Capital
02:30 Why energy is still essential for global growth
05:10 Oil supply, rig counts, and why underinvestment matters
07:20 Rob on negative oil prices in 2020 and investor opportunity
10:00 Why U.S. oil and natural gas exports matter
12:20 LNG exports and why natural gas is now a global commodity
16:00 The Aubrey McClendon / Cheniere LNG story
18:10 Why data centers could drive major natural gas demand
21:30 AI, utilities, grid modernization, and behind-the-meter power
25:20 Rob’s oil outlook: cyclical move or structural shift?
28:30 California refining, refinery closures, and fuel price pressure
32:10 Global oil supply risk and where future barrels may come from
36:20 Rob Thummel’s long-term oil price outlook
38:10 Have investors already missed the energy opportunity?
41:10 Tortoise Capital, energy funds, and investor access
43:30 Jay’s Weekly Five
44:00 Word of the Week: Secure
47:30 Bible verse: Deuteronomy 31:6
49:10 Book recommendations
52:00 TV recommendations
54:10 Podcast recommendations
58:00 Final thoughts and wrap-up

Highlight Timestamps
02:30 “Energy is pretty important” — why Rob says investors still need exposure
07:20 Rob reacts to negative oil prices and what smart investors learned
12:20 Why LNG changed the natural gas game globally
18:10 Jay’s thesis: data centers could trigger a big natural gas jump
21:30 Who pays for power demand from AI data centers?
25:20 Rob explains why higher oil prices may be structural, not temporary
36:20 Rob’s “Goldilocks” range for oil prices
38:10 What Rob says to investors who think they missed the move
44:00 Jay’s Weekly Five: the power of being secure in uncertainty
47:30 Deuteronomy 31:6 and staying strong under pressure

Oil is still above $90, and there is a lot going on behind the headlines.

In this live Oil and Gas Rundown, Jay Young breaks down what is really keeping oil prices elevated, how much of today’s price is driven by actual supply loss versus geopolitical risk, and what prolonged tension in the Strait of Hormuz could mean for gasoline prices, inflation, and the broader economy.

Joining Jay are Rex Gifford, EVP of Tax, and Bill Phillips, EVP of Land and Business Development, for a conversation on both the market and the investor side of oil and gas.

In this live discussion:

• What is really driving oil above $90
• Supply disruption vs. geopolitical risk premium
• What Middle East instability could mean for the U.S. economy
• Whether U.S. producers can realistically make up the difference
• What increases the value of acreage and leasehold today
• How land strategy affects the long-term value of a drilling program
• What investors should be asking now after a big tax bill
• Proactive tax planning moves to consider before 2027
• What to do over the next 6 to 12 months to be better positioned

Webinar update:
Our tax webinar featuring Tax Strategist Ed Lyon has been moved to April 28 at 2:00 p.m. CT. To register: https://kingoperating.zoom.us/webinar/register/5017756732935/WN_lQgnuT9fQDypa8ISjcjJTg or email theupside@kingoperating.com.

In this episode, Jay Young and Jordan sit down with Floyd McClendon, a Navy SEAL veteran, author, speaker, and mayoral candidate, to talk about leadership, faith, service, discipline, community growth, and purpose.

Floyd shares the life lessons he learned in the military, the mindset behind his “Seven Principles Preparing for Battle,” and how those principles now guide his leadership in business, personal growth, and politics. He also explains why he decided to run for mayor, what responsible growth looks like for a small city, and how strong leadership can shape the future of a community.

Jay and Floyd also discuss:

• Navy SEAL leadership lessons
• servant leadership and faith
• local government and responsible growth
• campaign pressure and staying mission-focused
• family, purpose, and resilience
• oil prices, energy markets, and U.S. oil and gas
• ownership, accountability, and long-term success

If you enjoy conversations about leadership, entrepreneurship, faith, public service, and oil and gas, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and welcome
01:10 Meet Floyd McClendon: military, leadership, and service
03:00 Writing, speaking, and the “Seven Principles Preparing for Battle”
06:15 Commitment, sacrifice, and putting your house in order
10:30 Faith, purpose, and leadership in everyday life
14:20 Why Floyd is running for mayor
18:10 The 90-day plan: auditing leadership, finances, and city operations
22:40 Responsible growth, infrastructure, and preserving community identity
28:00 Growth, empowerment, and what leadership feels like to others
33:20 Staying mission-focused through criticism and political pressure
39:10 Building community, family events, and supporting local business
44:00 Rapid-fire questions: leadership, faith, toughness, and hope
49:30 Oil markets, Middle East disruption, and why prices could rise
55:10 Word of the week: ownership
58:00 Book recommendations, Landman, and closing thoughts

Oil dropped today, but it’s still above $90, and that still has major implications for the economy, consumers, drilling activity, and the oil and gas industry.

Join Rachel Griffith, Jay R. Young, Steve Mullican, and Mark Ayers live as they break down what moved the market, what $90 oil means right now, and how new geology technology is changing the way operators make decisions in the field.

From crude oil prices and inflation to drilling response times and modern geological tools, this live conversation covers what matters most in oil and gas today.

Click here to purchase Jay's book, "The Upside of Oil and Gas Investing": https://a.co/d/0eqQpTsx

In this special episode of The Jay Young Show, filmed live from NAPE Expo, Jay R. Young and co-host Jordan Soto sit down with Sean Brown, Director of Missions and Awareness at Dogs Inc., for a powerful conversation about veteran transition, mental health, and the life-changing impact of service dogs. Sean shares his personal story of serving overseas, returning home, and struggling to reconnect with purpose after military life. He explains how service dogs can help veterans regain structure, stability, and mission, and why that support can be critical in the fight against veteran suicide.

The episode also explores why Dogs Inc. is bringing this message to the energy industry at NAPE, where many veterans have built careers after service. Check out this short by Dogs Inc. on YouTube that has over half a billion views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07d2dXHYb94

This episode covers: Veteran mental health and transition to civilian life, How service dogs help restore purpose and independence, The mission of Dogs Inc. Why this conversation matters in the oil and gas industry: Leadership, service, and giving back. Watch, share, and join us in supporting the people and organizations making a real difference.

Join King Founder and CEO, Jay Young, along with Rachel Griffith, Mark Ayers, and Bill Phillips for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com

What makes self-storage one of the most resilient investment sectors in real estate? In Episode 235 of The Jay Young Show, Jay Young and Jordan Soto sit down with Paul Bennett of AAA Storage to break down market cycles, alternative assets, investor returns, and why disciplined operators win over time.

Paul shares how he got started in real estate syndication, the biggest lessons he learned over a 45-year career, and how financial strength, disciplined investing, and the right partnerships help investors survive downturns and capitalize on opportunity.

The conversation dives into self-storage development, small bay industrial, private market investing, risk vs. return, IRR expectations, and what young investors often get wrong when evaluating deals. Paul also explains AAA Storage’s current fund strategy, how ground-up development creates value, and why he believes self-storage remains one of the most resilient sectors in real estate.

If you’re interested in real estate investing, alternative investments, private equity, self-storage funds, wealth building, and market cycle strategy, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Self-storage investing
• Real estate syndication
• Alternative assets
• Private market investing
• Market cycles and downturns
• Small bay industrial
• Fund structure and investor returns
• Wealth building strategies
• Risk management in real estate
• Lessons for young investors

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Intro to The Jay Young Show
01:05 Jay welcomes Jordan Soto and talks weather in Colorado and Dallas
02:10 Introducing Paul Bennett of AAA Storage
03:20 Paul Bennett’s background and how he got started in real estate syndication
07:10 Reinventing through market shifts and downturns
10:00 Lessons learned from a 45-year career in real estate
13:05 Why financial strength matters in every market cycle
16:00 How adversity creates opportunity in self-storage
19:10 Inside AAA Storage Growth Fund 2
22:10 Ground-up development, Texas markets, and small bay industrial
25:15 Why Paul stays focused on fundamentals instead of trends
28:05 Institutional buyers, RV and boat storage, and exit strategy
31:20 Expected returns, IRR, and how investors get paid
35:10 Capital calls, timelines, and fund structure
38:00 What young investors underestimate most
41:15 Why sponsor quality matters more than flashy returns
44:00 The future of self-storage and why the sector remains resilient

Join Rachel Griffith, Aaron Ledyard, and Mark Ayers for a live Q&A and oil and gas rundown. Get insights on some of the latest news in the oil and gas industry.

More information:
https://KingOperating.com